In a stunning display of dominance, the Norwegian men’s alpine ski team swept the podium at the season-opening World Cup giant slalom in Soelden, Austria on Sunday. Alexander Steen Olsen claimed his first career World Cup victory, leading teammates Henrik Kristoffersen and Atle Lie McGrath to an unprecedented 1-2-3 finish for Norway.
Steen Olsen Holds On for Maiden Victory
Starting with bib 1, the 22-year-old Steen Olsen took advantage of the clean course to lay down a blistering first run that put him 0.25 seconds clear of the field. Skiing with poise and precision on the steep, icy face, he then held off hard-charging teammates Kristoffersen and McGrath to secure his first World Cup win by margins of 0.64 and 0.65 seconds.
“That is what we have been dreaming of, everybody on the podium,” an elated Steen Olsen said after the race. The rising star, who notched his first podiums last season, credited his success to learning from past mistakes. “I’m not scared to grab the opportunity. I know my contenders went full speed down the hill, I just did give it my everything.”
Kristoffersen, McGrath Round Out Norwegian Podium
While Steen Olsen shone in the spotlight, his veteran teammates also had standout performances. Kristoffersen, the reigning Olympic giant slalom silver medalist and winner of the event in Soelden last year, skied two solid runs to claim second. McGrath, coming off a breakout season where he notched three podiums, continued his giant slalom ascent by taking third.
The Norwegian trio denied a packed crowd of over 15,000 fans an Austrian victory on home snow. But the home nation still had reason to cheer, as returning legend Marcel Hirscher delighted with a 23rd place finish in his first race in over five years. Competing for the Netherlands, the record 8-time overall World Cup champion was pleased with his comeback effort.
“It was cool, it has worked out so well,” Hirscher told Austrian TV. “About two seconds behind, that was also the case in training, so I’m really happy.”
More Comeback Success Stories
Hirscher wasn’t the only skier celebrating a successful return to elite competition. Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, the 2020 World Cup slalom champion, made a remarkable recovery from a major knee injury to place fourth from bib 41, just 0.90 seconds off the win.
American River Radamus, racing for the first time since tearing his ACL last January, cracked the top 15 with an inspired second run. The 24-year-old, long touted as a future giant slalom star, will look to build on this result.
Odermatt Falters, Meillard Withdraws
Defending overall World Cup champion Marco Odermatt’s bid for a record-tying 5th straight giant slalom win in Soelden came to an abrupt end when he skied out in the first run. The Swiss technical phenom, who utterly dominated the discipline last year, remained upbeat despite the mistake.
“For sure, we are all humans and mistakes can happen. I took the risk today that this could happen,” Odermatt reflected. “Until there, I really felt perfect, so that is what I take with me, not the mistake.”
More concerning for the Swiss squad was the withdrawal of Loic Meillard, last season’s overall runner-up, who tweaked his back in warmup. There is no word yet on the severity of the injury or how much time he may miss.
Shiffrin 5th in Women’s Race, Worley Retires
The action in Soelden began Saturday with the women’s giant slalom. Italy’s Federica Brignone picked up where she left off last season, extending her streak to four consecutive World Cup giant slalom wins dating back to January.
American Mikaela Shiffrin opened her quest for a 5th overall title with a solid 5th place showing in an event that has often vexed her. While not satisfied with the result, Shiffrin found positives to take away.
“I felt like I really built some good momentum and good skiing, so I’m pretty excited about that,” the 27-year-old told NBC Sports. “When it’s good, I’m going to be more in the fight.”
In a bittersweet moment for the sport, France’s Tessa Worley made the final World Cup start of her illustrious career, bowing out in 11th. The two-time world champion and 16-time World Cup giant slalom winner hangs up her skis as one of the discipline’s all-time greats.
Excitement Builds for Upcoming Races
The Norwegian men will look to assert their dominance on home snow as the World Cup moves to Lech, Austria for a pair of parallels, followed by slaloms in Levi, Finland. Speed teams kick off their season in Lake Louise, Canada in late November. With the 2026 Olympics already looming on the horizon, the stakes and intensity will only rise from here. If Soelden is any indication, it’s shaping up to be a riveting season full of breakthroughs, comebacks, and captivating storylines in alpine ski racing.
